Portable projection screen structure



March 1958 L. E. COOLEY, sR., ETAL" 2,825,518

PORTABLE PROJECTIQN SCREEN siRUcTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 16, 1956 March 4, 1958 1.. E. COOLEY, sR.. ETAL 1 PORTABLE PROJECTION SCREEN STRUCTURE Filed May 1a, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PORTABLE PROJECTION SCREEN STRUQTURE Laurel; E. Goaley, Sr.,. and Laurel E. Cooley, J13, Ia a Grange, and Carl 0. Plan], Ghicago, Ill.

Application May16, 1956, Serial No. 585,217

Claims. (Cl. 24,8-1- 71) This invention relates toportable projection screen structures.

The main objects of this invention, are to provide, an improved form of collapsible legstructure; to provide an improved tripodal folding-leg structure formed of reinforced sheet-metal stampings; to provide an improved leg'element engageable by a retractable latch; means for retaining-the legsin their folded position; and'to provide animproved leg structure of this kindso simple in construction as to make its manufacture very economical, its support in use highly rigid, andits shiftingbetween extended and; collapsed positions; most facile.

In the particular embodiment shown inthe-accompanyflg rawings;

Figure 1 is avertical elevation ofaportableprojection screen, structurein upright position preparatory for use;

Fig: 2 is a top plan view of the -legstructure, taken onthe plane of the line 22 of Fig. 1;;

Fig.3 is aview similar toFig. 1 but showing the equipment in its folded; storage ortransportrelationship;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectionaldetail of the-leg; structure, taken on the plane off theline 4-4 ofFig. 2;

Figs. 5, and 6 are transverse, sectionaLdeta-ils taken on theplanesof the. lines 5.5 and: 6,6, respectively,- of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a,further enlarged, sectional detail Off the; leglatch and release lever, which appears in the dottedcircle A of Fig. 4, and as viewed from the planeof the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a similar view of the leg-latch and release lever with the leg in folded position;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail of one of; the legs, as viewed from'the plane of the line 9..9 of Fig; 4;

Figs. 10 and 11 are cross sectional details of the leg structure taken on the-planes of the lines,- 10'10 and 1111; respectively, of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the spring whereby the several legs are yieldingly. held in their extended positions.

The essential concept of thisinvention involves a tripodal leg structure, each of which legs is a sheet-metal stamping of Y-form internally spanned by. bonded reinforcements, substantiallyW-shaped and Q-shaped, positioned in each leg for the attachment of leg braces and engagement with the foot-pedal releasable'locking latches respectively.

A portable projection screen structure embodying the foregoing concept comprises, a supporting standard 15 mounting brackets16 and 17 whereto tripodal, legs: 18 are adjustably attached and locked in folded position by a foot-releasable latch means 20.

The standard 15 hereis shown of hexagonal crosssection whereon is slidably supported a hand-grip 19v and wherein is housed the usual extension post mounting at itsupper end a screen-bail hook 21. The hand-grip 19 mounts a fixture 22 whereto a screen housing 23. is swivelled. The detailsof. the hand-grip 19 and the housice 2; ing supp r fixt re: 22; are.- isc osed n a pend appl c ion. S ial No..5,85 ,23 ;,.fi l M33? 11 19 The brackets 16, and; 117} may be either sheet-metal stampings or castings, each having three, evenly-spaced, outwardly-extending, channel-shaped Wings 2 4. whereto p s; efithe l g st ucture are atta hed. Theupp r c et 16 is slidable on; the standard; 15 whereas the lower bracket 17 is c pped over the. lower endofthe standar 15- Each of; the legs 1.81s ametal; s amping; of substantia Y-form; and strengthened; by reinforcing elements 26 and 27 andhaving; their; opposite; ends constrieted' as at; 28 and; 29.

The stem part-31 of} these \C-form legs 18 is U-shaped (see Figs. 10 and 11) and the outwardly-extending: arms 32 have their extremities 33 bent1so. that they are disposed parallel to each other. To better'insure. the greater rigidity of thesechannellikelegs, the reinforcing elements 26'and 27 are, secured within the. arms 32 of the several legs 18.

The reinforcing element 26 is a metal stamping substantially W-shape with;thegtwomiddle parts 34; pressed closely together andwith the two. outer arms 36 disposed at the same angle asthe arms 32 of the legs 18 (see Fig. 1.1); An element 26 is. positioned in. each leg 18 intermediate its; ends with thearms 3.6: superimposed on and bondedto the leg.- arms 32. These reinforcing elements 26 also serve for the attachment of the outer ends of the respective leg braces 37, as more fully: will appear hereinafter.

The-reinforcing elements; are of ratheropen 'C-shape with the arms 38angulated to the base 39: so that the element fits in superimposed: position on the leg arms 32 and whereto the elements 27 are bonded. Each element 27 is positioned a short distance in from the free end of the leg and with the base part 39 of the respective element. 27 intermediate theopposite lateral edges of the respective leg, that is, spaced outwardly of the crotch of. the leg.

The constricted end'28 of: each leg 18 has transversely.- alined holes 41 drilled therein whereby those ends of the legs.18 are each hinged by pins 42' to the wings 24 on the upper bracket 16 (Fig. 4). The opposite constricted end 29. of each leg 18 isset into a composition sleeve 43 which provides a foot for friction contact with the floor to lessen the likelihood of the legs slipping on the floor.

The leg braces 37 are channel-shaped and have their opposite ends bifurcated and formed with. transverselyalined holes for the reception of pins. 44. and. 45 for respectively hinging the braces 37 towings 24 on the lower bracket 17 and to the compressed middlearms 34 of the W-shaped reinforcing elements 26.

The foot-releasable, leg-latching means 20 comprises latches 46, a pin 47, a foot-lever48, andsprings 49L The latches- 46 are pivoted, intermediate their ends, onthe respective hinge pins144 to dispose thehook ends 50 in position to seat over the edges ofthe bases 39 of the respective reinforcing elements 27 (Fig. 8). Such mounting of the latches extends the inner ends into a bore 51 of the lower bracket 17 in position to be contacted by a head 52 of thepin 47.

The'pin 47 is axially shiftable-in the bracket 17 and has a nut 53 threaded onto the inner end to retainthe pin 47 against displacement and to insure ample Weight so that gravity will always hold the pin in its lowermost position on the bracket 17.

The lever 48, of which there is only. one, of course, is hinged intermediate its ends on a pin 54 on the lower bracket 17 below the head 52 of the pin 47. The lever 48 is of alength to position the inner. end infull and firmcontact with the pin head 52 and dispose the outer end'beyond. the bracket: 17 suificiently topermit ones footto: be placed on a tread a to release all three latches 46 simultaneously,

'clairnsf' t 7 t "the; middle partsfjof the "respective lei-shape" forcing element to1dispose 'the' -respectiveflegs' V ously parallel toithe standard when the "slidabl bracket v V r V V '55 and depress the lever 48 ;The springs 49 are seated-in bores 5Q in the lower j part of the bracket-17 outwardly -of the pin Lbore SI.

V The ends of the springs 49 rest on the inner;end:of the several latches 46 and position them to seat thehooks 50 over the' bases 39 of the respective" leg-reinforcing elements 27.

As is; conventional with structures of, this kind, the "legs '18 normally are'urged' and heldin their extended,

standard-supporting relationship .by' sometype of s'pring, A' form of spring, 57 quite suitable for this-particular 7 leg. structure, is v, shown in Figs/land 12. i As will be most apparent from "the former; figure, the-spring 'loops around a hinge 'pin' 42 with the loop 58 seated-in the channel of the leg l8 and-with the extension -59 pressed against the standard 15; 5

From the foregoing-it is' quite obvious that when vidually releasably'engage the leg structure is folded against the-standardi 15, as a a f shown in Fig. 3, the latches 46 hold the legs 'i'n s uch :folded' position. To'releasc'the legs, rand perrnititheir' shifting to expanded positions, it is only necessary toidepress the lever 48. ,This elevates the pin-47fand presses the head 52 against the inner ends of the latches 46-so,

as to retract the hooks 50 from engagement with'thei-b'a'ses 39 of the respective reinforcing elements 27. 5

It is to be understood thatdetails. of the construction shown maybe altered or omitted .without departing from" the spirit of the invention asldefinedqthei following 'We' claim: 5

'1,tA portable projectiomscreensupportcomp s ngga; standard, a bracketwfixed at 'thet lowerend'o'fthe staridard, a second bracket mounted on thestandard form ove ment toward and away, from the fixed bracket, supporting legs each a sheet metal stamping substantially Y-form in a the O-shaped reinforcing elements on the respective legs to hold the legs in folded parallel'position against the standard, and a leverhinged on the lower bracket in position toactuate the several latches and simultaneously retract'them' to release the I respective legs.

3. A portable projectidn -s creen support comprisingfa 7 t ndardia bra ket. fi d te owe nd Iof the sta ard, a second bracketislidably mounted; on thestandaId for movement toward and away'from the fixe'd bracket,

supporting legs each a sheet metal stamping substantially n a s se tio ag s s tial yr .wr' h pcd i t forcing'elementpositioned withinieach leg intermediate 7 its ends; with the-"two eexternal arms thereof superimposed on and bonded to thearms of the Y-fornileg a substantially (ii-shaped reinforcing element positioned within each leg intermediate the Al-shaped: element and rthe lower -legeiid withthe arms oftheC-shaped element superimposed on and bonded to the arms of the-*respee- "tive leg,- the-innr end'of each? in width than the remaindero itending through the legend-apertures ofzth ef respective legs to hingethe" legs to the bracket, a leg brace havihg one end bifurcated and hinged-to the'middle parts'ofeach'- W shapedi leg-finforcing elementand havingthe other cross section, a pair of separately-formed-leg reinforcing 1 elements one substantially W-shape andtthe other sub- 7 stantially C-shape internally: spanning -teach1legf and bonded thereto at longitudinallwspaced,pointsfintermedi- "ate the respective leg ends, one end of each-ile'gib'eing hinged to the sliding'bracke'tja brace hingedflat opposite ends to" the fixed bracket andto the W-shaped' leg-'reinforcing element to dispose; the leg c'ontiguously parallel V f-t'o the standardsitwhen;-the; slidablei bracket',is;;shifted end hinged to the fixed brackfiL a hooked 'lat'clftoreach leg pivoted intermediate it's'i endson' h hingGQOnnecting' the respectiveflg brace to thie fixedraeket tio dispose j the inneiehd'df the latcliadjaceiieth axis bf the standard J a and the outer end {ingposition tolengage' the "c-sh aped leg-reinforcin'gielern'ent to releasably; hold the legf againstg i interposed-between --the fixed bracket j'and each' lat c'li ifnwatdng of its? respective pivot and normallyurging;eachlatchdntoleg-engaging e the standard, resilient v mean position,- and a, Hatch-retracting levrgpivoted oh the fixed bracke't 'in position'to" actuate the seveljal at hes;

4. A portable projection-screen 'sup port compri standard for moyemntitoward and awayfrom thefixed bracket, supporting legs each a sheet metal stamping sub- 'stantially Y-form f in cross 'section, -'a substantially-"W away from the hired 'bracket,and spring-actuatedflatches mounted on rthefixe'dibracket to t-releasablyl engage the' .C-shaped reinforcing-elements on th'respectivel le'gs to a hold: the legs in folded parallel position a'gai jjzfl standard 7; r a,

2. A portable 'projection s creen support comprising, I a

standard, a bracket fixed. atI'the-lower end oi the" stand- 7 ard,. a second bracket slidablymountedon the standard? is jfor jmoyement toward and'away from" the fixed' br'aeket," 'supportrng legs teach a sheet metal*starnpingkubStam tially Y-form 'inicross; sectiong substantially -W-shaped posed on and bonded to theiai'ms of the Y-form -leg,f a substantially .Q-sli'ap'ed reinforcing element' positioned Wlthln each'leg intermediate thew-shaped element-"and the lower leg end withrth'e of the c shapedieleriient i super mp sed on'and bonded toth'earmsof the respect tive leg, the inner end ofeach Y-forrn leg-being narrower in width'than the remainder 'o f the leg a'nd having' trans-' "verseiy-aline'd apertures; pinsfon the shiftable, bracket, V extending through the leg-end apertu A a is legs to hinge'sthe' legs to the'b racket, a legbrace hinged at one end to the fixed braeket and 'at thej other ehd to,

res-of the respe'ctive onti a reinforcing element positioned within eachileg. in termedi v 1 ate its ends with the two external a'rrns thereof super-imisrshiftedtthe' ofiitsir'novement away from the fix ed V 'xbracket,horizohtaliy disposed Ispr'ing -actuated 'latches q mounted on the underside of thefixed bracketjto indi shaped reinforcing element --positioned Withit'1 @h ;lt3g;;

intermediate its .ends with the two external-arm s thereof superimposed'on and bonded to the armsibfjthteQY-torm. 7

leg, a substantiallyc-shapedreinforcing'; "elementliiposi j' tioned Within each legintermediate the 'W-shaped element' and the lowenle'g end withdhe arrnsiof 'the C- shaped element superimposed :on =and' bonded to-"tlie arms "of a.

a the respective leg, the inner end: of each Yeform' leg;

a ,being narrower in width than -th'e remainderfof thexleg' and having transversely-alined apertures,lpiu'spn theshift- 'able'bracket extending through the leg-end a ert res to V hinge; thel legs' toi the bracket; a leg bracehavingi one a end bifurcated and hinged 'to the middle parts'iof e'ach' -W-shaped leg-reinf0rcing element J and having the other 7 end hingedf to the fixed bracke't, a hooked latch for each leg pivoted intermediate its ends on the hingeconnecting V, V the respective leg brace to 'thefixed bracketjto"dispose J I the inner end o' f the latch adjacent the axis of1he1s tand "ganged" by ai'foot latches; Y

- 51Aportablelprojectieit scren suppertlcomprising, :1

Y -form leg being narrower V the'le g and havinglrans- "versely-alined aperturesfpinsien the shiftablebracket ex- 7 ins: a standard, a bracket fixed on the'lower end off-the" 7 standard, 'a --second-bracket slidably mounted; on: the

standard, a bracket fixed on the lower end of the standard, a second bracket slidably mounted on the standard for movementtoward and away from the fixed bracket, supporting legs each a sheet metal stamping substantially Y-form in cross section with the stern portion thereof channel shaped in cross section, a pair of separatelyformed leg-reinforcing elements, one of the elements being substantially W-shape with the two outer parts of the W-shape having the same angular disposition as the two diverging parts of the Y-forrn leg and with the two middle parts of the W-shape compressed together in parallel relationship, the other elements being C-shape with the two outer parts having the same angular disposition as the two diverging parts of the Y-forrn leg, a

pair of the elements being positioned in each leg at longi- 1' tudinally-spaced points intermediate the leg ends with the angularly-disposed parts of the respective elements seated against and bonded to the respective diverging parts of the legs, one end of each leg being hinged to the sliding bracket, a brace hinged at opposite ends to the fixed bracket and to the parallel middle parts of the W-shaped leg reinforcing element to dispose the leg contiguously parallel to the standard when the slidable bracket is shifted away from the fixed bracket, and spring-actuated latches mounted on the fixed bracket to releasably engage the C-shaped reinforcing elements on the respective legs to hold the legs folded against the standard.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,022,608 Taplinger Apr. 9, 1912 2,545,699 Iohannsen Mar. 20, 1951 2,708,559 Du Mais May 17, 1955 

